Community pillar
Across Africa, we are committed to playing an active role in society. Through collaboration and the contribution of our people, we support programmes that address social and economic challenges, widen access to opportunity, and contribute to lasting change.
Faranani Rural Women Training Initiative
For over 20 years, PwC’s Faranani Rural Women Training Initiative has been transforming lives by equipping women in underserved communities with the skills to build and grow sustainable businesses. Founded in 2006, the programme has supported more than 4,700 women across South Africa, helping to unlock economic potential in communities.
Faranani operates across multiple provinces, including Gauteng, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape and North West—extending its reach into rural and peri-urban communities nationwide.
The programme focuses on practical business skills such as financial management, pricing, marketing, and business planning, combined with the confidence and tools needed to start or scale a business. By addressing barriers such as limited access to education, networks, and financial literacy, Faranani enables women to participate meaningfully in the economy and drive growth within their communities.
As part of our commitment to measuring impact, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the programme’s effectiveness and outcomes. We surveyed 65 participants from the FY23/24 cohort and analysed both quantitative and qualitative data.
The findings highlight strong economic impact:
- 63% of participants reported increased sales, with an average growth of 32%.
Profits increased by 30%, enabling reinvestment into their businesses.
55% of participants reduced operational costs, particularly in logistics and transportation.
Employment increased by an average of 22%, supporting job creation and strengthening local economies.
These results demonstrate the tangible value of the programme in empowering women and driving inclusive economic growth.
SDG's
- Gender equality
- Decent work
- Economic growth
- Reduce inequalities
A 20-year legacy of empowerment: PwC Faranani Rural Women
Youth Start
Youth Start, in collaboration with PwC, is a national Matric Mathematics and Science revision initiative designed to support students from under-resourced schools. Through interactive cinema-based sessions, students receive engaging revision support from qualified teachers, complimentary textbooks, and access to a zero-rated digital platform. The programme aims to increase pass rates, improve bachelor passes, and enhance university intake opportunities for disadvantaged learners across South Africa.
The Maths Initiative for the National Development of Youth (MINDY) project
MINDY is a collaborative effort to improve mathematics education in Gauteng schools. Through a partnership with Marketplace Academy (MPA) and Katlehong Engineering School of Specialisation (KESOS), PwC is helping learners strengthen their maths skills and unlock future opportunities.
Anchored in the belief that quality education drives sustainable development, the initiative has already improved maths outcomes and boosted learner confidence—helping build a stronger skills pipeline for South Africa’s future growth.
SDG's:
- Quality education
- Reduced inequalities
PwC National U-17 Cricket Championship
Since 2018, PwC Nigeria has partnered with the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) to sponsor the National U-17 Cricket Championship for Boys and Girls, now widely known as the PwC National U-17 Cricket Championship. It is Nigeria’s largest grassroots cricket tournament, designed to promote youth development, gender inclusion, and national talent discovery across all six geopolitical zones.
The initiative evolved from the Naija Kids Cricket Programme, which aimed to introduce 10,000 children to cricket annually. Today, it serves as the main pathway to national representation in Nigerian cricket.
Mechanised borehole project
PwC Ghana, in partnership with United Way Ghana, commissioned a mechanised borehole at St. George’s Anglican Basic School in Chorkor, Accra. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability, aimed at addressing the school’s long-standing water access challenges. Chorkor is one of Accra’s most densely populated and underserved communities, with over 30,000 residents. The school was selected following a comprehensive assessment based on its critical water and sanitation needs, high student population, and its commitment to maintaining existing facilities.
PwC Tiny Tree
Through its partnership with the Tiny Forest Foundation, PwC Mauritius is helping to restore biodiversity and create greener, more resilient communities. As part of the initiative, PwC volunteers planted 900 native trees across 300 m² of land at Notre Dame de la Salette, creating the sixth Tiny Forest in Mauritius.
Designed to grow significantly faster than a conventional forest and absorb substantially more carbon, the Tiny Forest will help enhance local biodiversity, support climate change mitigation, and create a sustainable green space for the community. The project is expected to support more than 500 species of plants and animals within the next three years, demonstrating the long-term environmental impact that can be achieved through collective action.
PwC Uganda startup initiative
The PwC Uganda Startup Initiative helps strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by equipping startups with the skills, knowledge, and professional support needed to grow sustainably. Delivered in partnership with the National ICT Innovation Hub under the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, the programme provides targeted training and mentorship across key business areas, including tax, legal compliance, financial management, governance, and business strategy.
By helping founders build stronger, more resilient businesses, the initiative supports innovation, enhances entrepreneurial capability, and contributes to sustainable economic growth in Uganda.
Railways Primary School partnership
PwC Uganda partners with Railways Primary School, Nsambya to help create a more enabling learning environment for young learners and support their long-term educational outcomes. Through this partnership, our people contribute essential scholastic materials, textbooks, clothing, shoes, and reusable sanitary pads, helping to address barriers that can affect school attendance and learning, particularly for girls.
Our employees also volunteer their time at the school and participate in tree-planting activities, combining community engagement with environmental stewardship. By supporting both learners and the broader school community, we aim to contribute to a stronger foundation for future opportunity and development.
Winterburg School Trust
PwC South Africa partners with the Winterburg School Trust to help expand access to quality education for learners in underserved rural communities in the Eastern Cape. The Trust provides a safe and supportive learning environment for approximately 120 learners, helping to overcome barriers to education through access to schooling, transport, digital learning, and future-focused skills development.
Through exposure to digital literacy, coding, robotics, and online learning opportunities, learners are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to pursue a wide range of future pathways. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating more equitable access to education and unlocking opportunities for young people, regardless of their circumstances.
Nigeria 5 for 5 programme
Launched in 2017, PwC Nigeria’s 5 for 5 Programme supports five charities every year, focusing on health, gender equity, education, and social inclusion.
Ghana Classroom Refurbishments
On 1 April 2026, PwC Ghana, in partnership with United Way Ghana, commissioned two newly refurbished KG classrooms at St. George’s Anglican Basic School in Chorkor, Accra. This milestone underscores our commitment to providing safer, brighter, and more inspiring learning environments where children can thrive.
By investing in education, we are helping to shape brighter futures and ensuring that young learners have the nurturing spaces they deserve.
StepUp 2 a StartUp
StepUp 2 a StartUp is an innovative entrepreneurship education programme designed to inspire and empower high school learners from underserved communities across South Africa. The programme introduces learners to LEAN startup principles and equips them with the foundational skills needed to identify opportunities, develop sustainable business ideas, and create solutions to challenges within their communities. By fostering entrepreneurial thinking, innovation, resilience, and environmental responsibility, the programme helps bridge the gap between education and economic opportunity while preparing young people to participate meaningfully in the future economy.
Contact us
Kang'e Saiti
Regional Senior Partner, PwC East Market Area, and Country Senior Partner, PwC Kenya
Tel: +254 (0) 20 285 5000
Anastacia Tshesane
Regional Senior Partner, PwC South Market Area, PwC South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 11 797 5802
